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Join the Server“We’re saved!”
“We actually survived!”
PD Ko Myeong-seok and Writer Yang I-ju clinked their wine glasses lightly.
The reorganization season, which had blown in like a freezing gale, was over.
The results were in.
Mystery Horror Commando, having pivoted its concept, had survived.
Today was the day of their celebratory dinner at a family restaurant.
Riding the high of the good atmosphere, the budget-friendly wine flowed smoothly.
“Congratulations, Director!”
“Your judgment was spot-on, Director. Changing the concept was the best move you’ve ever made!”
The praise and congratulations were incessant.
The production crew competed to uplift PD Ko Myeong-seok, who had made the decision to change the concept.
PD Ko had a smile on his face, secretly enjoying the accolades.
Still, he didn’t take all the credit for himself.
“Ah, well, thank you. But it wasn’t just me. I discussed it extensively with Writer Yang I-ju here. And everyone followed the plan well. And—”
Who were the primary contributors who turned this concept change into a viral hit?
“The occult fans and the Pantheon fans worked incredibly hard. Everyone knows that, right?”
PD Ko gave a wink, and laughter erupted from all sides.
It was only natural that the occult fans would constantly rewatch and reproduce segments from this episode.
In addition, Pantheon’s fans played a massive role in the explosion of buzz.
“I really didn’t expect them to go that far. Did you know, Writer Yang?”
“No, even I didn’t know our fandom had this kind of firepower!”
From short-form videos to fan-run YouTube channels to social media mentions, they had given their all.
With Pantheon’s public recognition, the buzz had been sustained for quite a long time.
In this way, the Pantheon fans had performed CPR on Mystery Horror Commando and brought it back to life.
As Ko Myeong-seok and Yang I-ju retraced the process, they both pictured a single face in their minds.
Naturally, it was the face worshipped by the Pantheon fans.
“Honestly, we should have invited Sun-woo here today!”
“Right, right. Without Sun-woo, today wouldn’t have happened. I’m so glad I worshipped him. He said things would go well if we did, and it was true!”
Yang I-ju, being a Pantheon fan herself, smiled with pride.
She was filled with pride for her group, her member, and her fandom.
“Director, do you want things to go well for you in the future? Then you should take this chance to worship him!”
“Hahahaha, I really should. I mean, that day when we walked through those hall doors…!”
“Hm? Why did you stop?”
“No, it’s just…!”
Ko Myeong-seok, who usually had a sharp memory, found that day’s events strangely blurry lately.
Specifically, his memory of when they first entered the hall. He felt as though he had seen something bizarre, but the memory grew faint, as if someone were slowly erasing it bit by bit.
Still, one thing remained clear.
“When I opened those doors, the sight of Sun-woo singing was so impressive. I understood the feeling of wanting to worship him then!”
“Right, right? His stage presence is truly lethal!”
The conversation continued, burying the gaps in their memory.
“Ultimately, even with the concept change, this episode wouldn’t have been such a hit without Sun-woo!”
“Exactly! We have to repay the favor!”
“Speaking of which, why don’t you contact him? Just to say hello!”
The PD and the writer were in complete agreement.
Yang I-ju sent a text immediately, and when a reply came, she placed the call.
Through the phone, an arrogant, ominous, and yet simultaneously alluring voice rang out.
– I decline personal contact.
“Ah…!”
Yang I-ju snapped back to reality.
‘That’s right, I have to stay sharp when talking to our Demon God Sun-woo.’
But out of curiosity, she asked anyway.
“Then why did you say it was okay to call?”
– Fan service.
“Ack…!”
Could a direct rejection be considered fan service?
But it also meant he remembered that Yang I-ju had identified herself as a fan.
Yang I-ju was swept up in a bizarre feeling—it felt right, yet not quite.
“Wait a moment, Writer Yang!”
Ko Myeong-seok, seeing the writer’s expression, quickly leaned into the speakerphone call.
“Sun-woo, it’s Ko Myeong-seok. This isn’t a personal call. I’m reaching out on behalf of the program to express our gratitude!”
– Is that so? Was I of help?
“More than just help! We’re going to keep the concept we filmed with you going forward!”
– Hmph. It shall not be easy without me, however?
“That’s true. It’ll be hard to get another hit as big as the one we got with you! In that sense, how about becoming a fixed member?”
– I decline.
“As expected… Still, please consider appearing whenever you release a new album.”
Such footage was rare.
Future filming would likely require a lot more effort in the editing room.
– Strengthen thy heart, Director. I recommend hanging a photo of Pantheon by thy bedside.
Ko Myeong-seok laughed out loud.
Yet, a strange feeling washed over him.
He wondered if it wasn’t a bit weird for a middle-aged man to have a boy group’s photo by his bed.
On the other hand, he felt a genuine urge to actually hang it up.
Wondering what this feeling was, Ko Myeong-seok looked at Yang I-ju’s face and realized.
‘Ah, so this is it?’
He had never been interested before, yet it came to him like this.
The PD spoke his realization aloud.
“That… well, I heard it’s a phrase used within the fandom. If I may try it myself… I shall worship you from now on.”
Joining the fandom.
It is something that comes at an unexpected moment.
PD Ko Myeong-seok, who had never cared for idols despite working in the industry, had joined a male idol’s fandom.
And it was clearly sincere.
– Hmph. Thy fan devotion has been received.
Because the Demon God had confirmed it through the sound of a cracking chain.
The faint but unmistakable sound of one person’s cracking chain reached the Demon God’s ears.
Whenever this happened, the Demon God would reciprocate the fan’s devotion.
– I, too, shall worship thee.
“Oh!”
PD Ko Myeong-seok was a bit flustered.
Though it was a procedure he had heard about through Writer Yang I-ju, it had more destructive power than he anticipated.
Declaring worship required a certain level of resistance, but hearing a reciprocal declaration made him feel strangely reassured and energized.
To think a single line could have this kind of influence?
PD Ko Myeong-seok stood there with his mouth agape at the unexpected blow.
Seeing him, Yang I-ju burst into laughter and cut back into the call.
“Demon God-nim, our Director has completely lost it now!”
– How troublesome. Every single fan is precious, after all.
“Kyahahahat!”
Every single one of Demon God Sun-woo’s remarks was the epitome of a fan-doser.
Just as the call was about to end.
“Um, Sun-woo?”
– Why dost thou call, Writer?
“Ah, it’s a bit awkward to say this…!”
– Then thou shouldst refrain from saying it.
“Yes, yes… B-but…!”
– Sigh, it cannot be helped. I shall permit it just this once.
Yang I-ju finally managed to speak.
“My friend wants to interview composer Lucio Moreira!”
Broadcast writers naturally had a wide range of activities. They moved between various fields, from variety shows to music programs.
“But they say they can’t get in touch with him. They’re certain he’s in Korea, but do you happen to know where he is?”
The Demon God had stated that Lucio Moreira was someone he knew.
Yang I-ju’s question was natural. She assumed that since they were acquaintances, he might know his whereabouts.
After a moment, the Demon God answered.
– How regrettable. I do not know either.
“Ah, is that so? I wonder where he disappeared to… Anyway, thank you!”
The call ended naturally.
.
The call ended.
Or rather, it seemed to end.
After putting down his phone, the Demon God laughed softly.
“Hmph, to think she would ask about Lucio!”
He had lied.
Inside the grand mansion that served as Pantheon’s dorm.
The Demon God stood up and walked out of his room.
He happened to see Yoon-seo, so he gestured for him to follow.
Their destination was the ‘attic’ located in various parts of the third floor.
According to the mansion’s design, there were several spaces that could only be accessed from specific locations.
Creeeeeak—
Entering an empty room and pulling a cord hanging from the ceiling, a corner of the ceiling opened downward like a trapdoor.
One of the attics revealed itself.
The Demon God and Yoon-seo climbed the automatic ladder that descended diagonally from the dark attic.
With low lighting,
Soundproof walls on all sides,
And work PC monitors all lit up—
“Musical ideas… still… rising…!”
Lucio Moreira was working with a hollowed-out face.
The day the evil spirit was annihilated.
The rescued Lucio, upon facing the Demon God, had been engulfed in intense inspiration.
It was on a completely different level from the fake ideas given by the evil spirit.
Thus, he had desperately pleaded to stay by the Demon God’s side.
“Sun-woo.”
Lucio, who was quietly resting his hands on the keyboard with his headphones half off, turned his head toward the Demon God.
And he asked quietly.
“Um… when can I go home…?”
The fact that musical ideas kept coming was one thing.
The fact that he wanted to go home was another.
The Demon God shook his head firmly.
“What art thou saying? Was it not thou who desired a ‘collaboration’?”
“Has the meaning of the word ‘collaboration’ changed, I wonder…?”
It was a bizarre sight, considering they were actually conversing in Korean and Portuguese, yet debating the meaning of words.
Lucio, the party involved, felt no doubt about this phenomenon due to the gods’ correction.
He just wanted to go home.
“I have already offered two songs, however?”
“They lack the feeling of a title track. What art thou doing, despite claiming that inspiration flows?”
“Um, the two songs I made earlier would be title tracks if they went to any other idol…!”
“Nay, impossible. It must not be at the caliber of other idols!”
The Demon God was a Great Commander who had navigated the universe.
His standards were naturally lofty.
The two songs Lucio had presented with confidence could not surpass the Demon God’s standards.
“Thou canst do it. Believe in thyself, Lucio!”
“It’s not a matter of that… Work can be done at home too…!”
The Demon God listened no further.
He simply opened his Authority [Aura] and provided it to Lucio.
“Ah, ahh… musical ideas… rising… again…”
Whenever this happened, Lucio would sit back down at the PC.
The Demon God never once imprisoned him.
He never even told him not to leave.
‘I want to go home, but… Will a song like this ever come out again? Will I ever have another chance in my life to receive this kind of inspiration?’
He was a born composer.
The Demon God watched Lucio start working again and smiled with satisfaction, then gave an order to Yoon-seo.
“Yoon-seo, this fellow is spouting weak words. Reduce his fried dumpling rations!”
Since Yoon-seo was the one responsible for Lucio’s meals.
“Sun-woo hyung… as expected…?”
“What dost thou mean by ‘as expected’?”
“This is kidnapping and confinement… right?”
Yoon-seo confessed the doubt he had been harboring since the composer arrived at the house.
Of course, the man had entered with a smile, greeted the CEO and members, and then climbed up to that attic.
Still, the subsequent development had flowed in a way that raised many questions.
“It is not!”
The Demon God answered firmly and accurately.
“Is it not…?”
“It is not. Look at him working so joyfully!”
“Is that so…? His eyes as he keeps glancing at me look very much like he’s pleading for help?”
“I wonder. He would likely be disappointed if I told him to leave now.”
Actually, since it seemed that way too, Yoon-seo couldn’t be certain if a crime was being committed.
The door was always open. But he didn’t try to leave.
He smiled during meals, saying they were delicious. But occasionally his gaze looked longingly out the window.
He looked truly happy when working. But he sighed when resting.
‘I just can’t tell.’
Even trying to get a sense of it by listening to their conversation was impossible since they each spoke only in their own language.
‘Can they hear each other but not speak? Even so, can listening and speaking be so thoroughly separate?’
The questions only amplified.
‘Later, I’ll come secretly by myself and ask him using a translator.’
Whether he was here of his own will.
Whether he wanted to escape.
Yoon-seo felt a momentary thrill at the dangerous plan of rebelling against the Demon God.
However.
That plan was never realized.
Because Lucio Moreira offered a song that pleased the Demon God first.
Pantheon had obtained their title track.
A masterpiece that would send Pantheon to the next level.
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It’s always Yoon-seo who gets caught up in the demon gods plans